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Resolution No. 2013-009

A Resolution Calling on Buklod Atenista Member Schools to Support the

Revised Freedom of Information Act of 20121

Status: Approved Authored by:

Ateneo de Zamboanga University

WHEREAS, the Buklod Atenista Constitution states that basic Ignatian values such as respect

for humanity, dignity, freedom, justice, and service to our fellow men and women must at all times

be upheld and propagated2;

WHEREAS, the Buklod Atenista Constitution states that nationalism be inculcated in all

Ateneans3;

WHEREAS, a lot of information regarding government processes and transactions is kept from

the public. This lack of transparency has resulted to the structural cover-up of government

anomalies such as malversation of funds, abuse of power, and lack of compliance with state

procedures and processes. Moreover restraints on access to government documents limited the

audit of government management and performance;

WHEREAS, Article 3 Section 7 of the Philippine Constitution states that the people have the right

to information on matters of public concern. Access to official records, and to documents and

papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research

data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such

limitations as may be provided by law;

WHEREAS, the government, as the representative of the people, founded on the principles of a

participatory and representative democracy, has an obligation to uphold the right of their

constituents to access information for the purposes of transparency and accountability;

WHEREAS, the Revised Freedom of Information Act 2012 upholds, in Section 2 Declaration of

Policy, the right of the people to information on matters of public concern, and adopts and

implements a policy full of public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest, subject

to the procedures and limitations provided by this Act;

WHEREAS, the Buklod Atenista is cognizant of the public role in auditing government policies,

programs, and practices and, as such, recognizes the invaluable right of the people to access

important government documents;

WHEREAS, while some member schools have reservations against this Act, in principle, this bill

is linear to the ideals upheld by Buklod;

WHEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Buklod Atenista shall express its support for the Revised

Freedom of Information Act of 2012;

WHEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that every Member school shall follow the following

phases according to their own means:

1Introduced by Reps. Taada, Biazon, Nograles, Angara, Casio & Colmenares, Bello & Bag-ao,

Romualdo, Apostol, Del Mar, Castelo, and Escudero"Article II, Section 1 of the 2011 Buklod Atenista Constitution #Article II Section 2 of the 2011 Buklod Atenista Constitution

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PHASE 1: RESEARCH AND MONITORING

The first step we need to do is to research further on ambiguous and contestable terms

and/or provisions of the Act. It is a must to understand the whole concept of the act so we

are able to spread the information in its most appropriate meaning. We also need to take

into consideration that we must monitor any progress on the Act in terms of revisions,

newer versions, amendments, hearings, et cetera. It is such because of the fact that thesecan also affect the stand on the bill.

PHASE 2: COORDINATION

Level One

We invite students and even representatives from government offices or agencies for

reactions, suggestions, and other concerns regarding the act. Results from this level should

be documented to be used on the next level.

Level Two

After we gather ideas from other people, we coordinate with the Buklod Atenista member

schools to discuss the concerns given on the first level and after, create the stand regarding

the Act. The means will depend on the discretion of the National Congress.

PHASE 3: CRAFTING

The next thing to do is to create a stand in support of the Bill with the respective student

governments. The stand should be based from the discussions made during the

coordination with the other Buklod Atensita member schools for unity among them.

PHASE 4: DISSEMINATION

Lastly, student councils will spread the stand on the bill for dissemination of information to

the school body and other agencies concerned.

WHEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution take effect upon a 2/3 vote of the

National Congress.

Zamboanga, Philippines, May 31, 2013.

Approved by:

IVY JANE TORREGOSA

Ambassador

Ateneo de Davao University

ROMMEL REGOR ONG

Ambassador

Ateneo de Zamboanga University

RAY CRISTOFER GOMEZ

Ambassador

Ateneo de Manila University

ALBERT WENCES DABA III

Ambassador

Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan

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RENZO ENRICO BLANCO

Ambassador

Ateneo de Naga University